美国联邦航空管理局(“FAA”)对飞机的运营具有管辖权并进行监管, 包括“无人飞行系统”, in the navigable airspace of the United States. The FAA distinguishes between “public aircraft,，这可能包括由美国政府拥有或仅供美国政府使用的无人机，或由州政府拥有、经营或独家租赁的无人机, the District of Columbia, or a territory or possession of the U. S. or a political subdivision, 49 U.S.C. § 40102(a)(41), 和 civil aircraft, which are any aircraft except public aircraft, 49 U.S.C. § 40102(a)(16). 看到 Decision Flow Chart for Aircraft Operations. Federal regulation requires that all UAS be registered with the FAA. Those aircraft weighing less than 55 lbs fully loaded, may be registered online. To register your University of Idaho owned UAS, please visit the FAA DroneZone 网页. Please forward completed FAA registration to ored-uas@buzoianu.net. 

那些不符合以下政府功能定义或具有“商业目的”的无人机使用需要获得FAA的民用操作授权. “商业目的”是指“为补偿或租用而运输人员或财产”.” 49 U.S.C. § 40125(a)(1). The FAA also indicates that any use of a UAS “in furtherance of a business, 或个人业务附带的”不属于模型飞机特别规则的范围(2012年FAA现代化和改革法案第336条). 截至8月29日, 2016, Section 107 will be the primary method for gaining FAA approval for flying civil UAS.

第107节:

根据第107条, 操作小型无人机的人必须持有小型无人机等级的远程飞行员证书，或者在直接监督下. The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds fully loaded. When flown within five miles of an airport, 航空器经营人必须事先通知机场经营人和机场空中交通管制塔. 飞机将在操作飞机的人的视线范围内飞行.

Most official uses of UAS by university employees will qualify as a civil operation.

FAA还允许其他方法获得FAA批准飞行民用(非政府)无人机:

1. 根据《365体育滚球》第333条申请豁免的请愿书. 333), with a civil certificate of waiver or authorization (COA) for civil aircraft, to perform commercial operations in low-risk, controlled environments.

2. 获得民用飞机的特殊适航证书-实验类(SAC-EC)，进行研究和开发, crew training 和 market surveys. For-hire operations are prohibited.

3. Obtain a UAS type 和 airworthiness certificate in the Restricted Category (14 CFR § 21.25(a)(2)和§21.185) for a special purpose or type certificate for production of the UAS under 14 CFR § 21.25(a)(1)或§21.17.

These methods require additional consideration. Please contact the compliance coordinator at 208-885-1527 or ored-uas@buzoianu.net if you need to seek FAA approval through a method other than section 107.

2012年美国联邦航空局现代化和改革法案第336条规定了“模型飞机”的操作要求.” A “model aircraft” is defined, under Section 336(c), as “an unmanned aircraft” that is “(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; (2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; 和 (3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.“联邦航空局已经 indicated in their May 4^th, 2016年无人机系统(UAS)教育使用备忘录规定，“学生可以根据FMRA第336条进行模型飞机操作，以促进他或她在认可的教育机构的航空相关教育.” Additionally, the aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds fully loaded. When flown within five miles of an airport, 飞机营办人须向机场营办人及机场航空交通管制塔提供营运前通知. 飞机将在操作飞机的人的视线范围内飞行.

因为大学是国家和政府传播知识和学习的工具,“由学校独家拥有、运营或租赁的无人机可符合公共飞机的资格. Prior to operation of such UAS, 然而, 大学必须申请并获得涵盖该操作的授权或豁免证书(COA). Even if a UAS is owned 和 operated or leased exclusively to the university, it only qualifies as a public aircraft, 和 its use a public aircraft operation eligible for coverage under a COA, 如果美国联邦航空局认为使用是“政府职能”(“政府开展的活动”), such as national defense, intelligence missions, 消防, 搜救, law enforcement [including transport of prisoners, 被拘留者, 和 illegal aliens], aeronautical research, or biological or geological resource management.”) 49 U.S.C. § 40125(a)(2).

Not all university 活动 fall within the definition of “governmental function.“联邦航空局已经, 例如, expressly excluded education from this definition, 宣称“一个州可以……根据自己的目的选择将任何级别的教育视为一种政府职能。, 但各州不得自行扩大§40125(a)(2)中的政府职能清单，以包括其选择作为公共飞机运营基础的任何活动.” July 3, 2014 Memor和um re: Operation of UAS as Public Aircraft for Educational Purposes. 美国联邦航空局还警告说，“法规中列出的政府职能[不应]人为地操纵其含义，使其包括所有所需的……. 活动.”
2014年7月3日备忘录:澄清2014年6月13日关于使用无人机进行研究的解释.

With respect to sponsored research, 联邦航空局表示，“拥有UAS公共飞机COA的州立大学可以将其COA用于[]研究[履行政府职能]，如果此类研究是该州的预期任务。.2014年6月13日，《365体育滚球》. Sponsored research involving UAS may be considered to have a “commercial purpose,” subject it to requirements for civil operation of UAS, 除非“研究成果属于国家(大学)”和“研究中使用的[无人机]不具有他人(包括资助资助的实体)的财产”。.” Id.